- Anthony SanFilippo via twitter: There is no deal for the Maple Leafs today but there could be something in the works between them and the Ducks involving Bobby Ryan. Darren Dreger via twitter: In general, Dreger has been told that trade discussions with the Maple Leafs are currently very quiet.
- Brian Burke via twitter: “Speak with all 30 clubs as often as daily. Our top guy Dave Nonis shares this load. In quiet times, once every 10 days.”
- Dan Rosen via twitter: “Ownership’s intention is this player will finish his career with the Flames,” Feaster said. “There is no appetite to trade Jarome Iginla.”
- David Pollak via twitter: Trade rumors involving Sharks forward Ryane Clowe are bogus. Makes less sense with Martin Havlat injured.
- Mark Spector via twitter: Agent Pat Morris is meeting with Oilers GM Tambellini in Columbus regarding UFAs Ryan Smyth and Andy Sutton. Both are expected to be re-signed.
- Craig Custance of ESPN: Time may be running out for the struggling Sabres. “There’s a growing notion that the continuity in Buffalo has made things a bit stale. The same GM. The same coach. The same core group of players.”
- Elliotte Friedman of CBC: The Rangers don’t want to place Sean Avery back on re-entry waivers as they don’t want to have the $2 million cap hit if he gets claimed. Have to think the Rangers might do something with Wojtek Wolski and his $3.8 million cap hit. Teams ready to make a move now are: Maple Leafs, Sharks and the Blackhawks are hovering. The Ducks are one of the teams watching Leafs farmhand Korbinian Holzer closely. The Blackhawks have shown some interest in Blue Jackets Derick Brassard. The Coyotes say they won’t trade Shane Doan.
- Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Cox thinks that if Ryan Malone and his $4.25 million cap hit (3 more years after this year) becomes available, the Leafs may be interested.
- What is Bobby Ryan Trade Value? Teams who could be interested are: Maple Leafs, Sabres, Kings, Flyers, Canadiens, Predators, Sharks and Capitals.
#1 by Jeff at January 17th, 2012
Ryan with Toronto would be great and all, but that team needs a center. They have 3 3rd line centers.
#2 by hotwings at January 17th, 2012
unless the leafs have an imminent trade involving schenn, i dont get why they are sitting schenn.. he hasnt played horrible this year… and has laid down a lot of punishment to other teams… this is kinda like nashville sitting ryan suter.. i just dont get it..
i can see why the sat kadri.. he definitely still has that risk factor that burke and wilson talk about… he came on strong during his current stint in leafland, but the past few games he has made a lot of mistakes.. most notably trying to manoeuvre through 3+ players at once, when he should be dumping it in…
connolly is a 2nd line centre on most teams.. he is in that category at least… bozak is debatable.. grabo is a legit 2nd line centre.. lombardi is a ghost this year….
#3 by hotwings at January 17th, 2012
i hope the leafs dont get ryan malone.. this year they need a centre or a bobby ryan type player.. a ryan malone type might be a good pickup once the leafs can contend with boston/philly in a playoff series…
… maybe 1-2 years from now.. it seems we already have a ryan malone on our team.. aka colby armstrong..
#4 by Wunschkind89 at January 17th, 2012
Bozak and Connolly I’d argue are #2 centers heh.
#5 by thinking out loud at January 17th, 2012
Leafs need a true first line center. Not Bozak or Connolly. They get bullied and cannot line up with the centers of the Rangers, Bruins, flyers, panthers, etc.
To get something you have to be willing to give something in return.
Better to do it now rather than latter, when the Leafs are so far down in the standings that they can’t make back and get into the playoffs.
Go after Getzlef or Praise. Do not go after a soft playing center, they already have plenty of them.
If it means giving up, Kadri, Gunnarson and a first rounder or heck throw in Connolly!
Burke made it his #1 priority last summer to get a #1 center and he still hasn’t delivered!
If the Leafs do not make the playoffs, both Burke and Wilson should be fired! At least they both get a nice going away present!
By the way the goalies are playing we may need a goalie as well.
Do something before it is to late. Do not wait until the end of January to make a trade and be to far out of a playoff spot to make it back.
Burke should not be thinking about getting someone who will take them farther in the playoffs, they have to make the playoff first! And with this team they will not! Remember the forecasters at the beginning of the season predicted they would not with the team they have now. They still have the same team! HELP!
#6 by Brent at January 18th, 2012
I think your assessment is a bit harsh. Let’s not forget this slide started when Reimer was given ‘concussion like symptoms’ from an unpunished Brian Gionta… He’s still getting his game, and last nights joke of a goal was not a reflection of his ability, it was blatant interference.
The Leafs are close, and if the Grabo line can start to play the way they did last season, we’ll make it in. A number one centre is a necessity, but Bobby would be a nice acquisition. Don’t give up yet! The Leafs are playing well despite some bad bounces.
#7 by Jeff at January 18th, 2012
I wonder how long before Colborne might be the answer:
http://www.hockeyprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1232
#8 by AJ at January 20th, 2012
If I was a Toronto fan, I’d want my GM to go after Travis Zajac. He’s big, young, and could be the best Maple Leafs center. Also, he’s easier and cheaper to get, than others.
All this ofc only, if he’s 100% back before the deadline.
#9 by Jeff at January 20th, 2012
He is tall, but not big and doesnt hit. Not a bad idea though. I thought he would break out last year, but injuries have really been hurting him.